Experience the power of art and the power of the animal kingdom in one place with the Toledo Zoo’s “Wild About Art” show, Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8. Featuring the work of local and national artists on the Zoo’s grounds, visitors can see and purchase works in a wide variety of mediums. A favorite of Zoo-goers, the event will also feature live entertainment and interactive activities, and, if you’re lucky, the chance to see an animal artist or two! 2 Hippo Way. 419-385-5721. toledozoo.org
THE Modern Dance Company Holds Auditions for Teens
THE2, the young artist dance group within Toledo’s Human Experience Modern Dance Co., will soon hold auditions for ages 13-18.
Rapheal Griffin, THE2 artistic director, said her vision is to “provide a quality artistic experience for young artists through performances, classes, and workshops.” Griffin received her undergraduate degree in dance with an emphasis on dance education from BGSU and her MFA from the University of Michigan.
“As a choreographer, I strive to connect young artists to the beauty and passion behind the dance movement to create something gratifying for both dancers and the audience alike,” she said.
The THE2 2021-22 season runs through February 2022. Those interested in auditioning can sign up online; an audition form must be submitted to reserve an audition timeslot.
Auditions will take place Sunday, August 8 from 2-4 pm. Toledo School for the Arts. 7713, 333 14th St. [email protected]. themoderndancecompany.com
New Kids August 2021
Boys and Girls Club & First Tee to open new youth center
First Tee of Lake Erie and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo are partnering to build a new 15,000 square foot youth center on Hill Ave., between Richards and Reynolds. The Dattilo Youth Leadership Center, which began construction last year, will open this fall. First Tee, a national non-profit which aims to inspire children while teaching them the game of golf, also will serve as the home base for the Schoenrock Family Boys & Girls Club, with classrooms, a gym, game rooms and a full driving range. For more information, visit bgctoledo.org.
Downtown Sylvania gets Grumpy
Turn that frown upside down! Toledo dining favorite Grumpy’s Food and Drink has opened at 5629 Main St. in Sylvania, the site of the former Executive Diner. Featuring classic Grumpy’s favorites like the Garbage Salad, the Grilled Chicken Deluxe Sandwich, Grumpy’s signature breakfast and more, the menu will put a smile on most any face. Grumpy’s has announced that a third location will soon open in Bowling Green.
A new tutoring business hits Toledo
Mindy Hazuda, the owner of Academic Foundations, has 19 years of experience in special education and is now offering both in-person and virtual tutoring sessions.
She specializes in teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, sight words, reading fluency, reading comprehension, math calculation, math problem solving and written expression. She also specializes in K-6 Language Arts and Math. Academic Foundations.
[email protected]. facebook.com/academicfoundations2021
Free summer sports camp
Western Toledo Preparatory Academy is a new, tuition-free, K-7 public charter school with a goal to develop new student athletes. Toledo native Kechan Johnson, the school’s principal, a former professional athlete, intends for students to build on their athleticism and competitive spirit while still focusing on academic pursuits. Western Toledo Preparatory Academy. 61455 Hill Ave. 419-697-1518. westerntoledoprep.org
Mary Poppins makes her way to Toledo
This summer, the Glass City welcomes a new daycare facility named after a most famous British nanny. Mary Poppins Daycare & Nanny Services offers structured routines for children aged six weeks to twelve years old, but with a comfortable home-like environment. With a mission to help kids develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially by engaging their curiosity in the world around them, qualifying parents can take advantage of their at-home nanny services, if preferred over daycare. Call or visit their website to learn more about this addition to Toledo’s childcare community. Mary Poppins Daycare & Nanny Services. 5702 W. Alexis Ave., Sylvania.
419-318-2844. marypoppinsdaycare.org
Things I Googled While Pregnant
Throughout pregnancy, sometimes it seems as if you can’t eat a meal, exert yourself in any way or do simple household tasks without Googling, “[Insert concern] while pregnant.” Now that I have my three-month-old little boy in my arms, I have even more things to Google!
I thought it would be insightful to scroll through my search history and take up some of these compulsive Googling sessions with one of my amazing OB-GYNs at Mercy Health, Dr. Kathleen Piazza. Talking with your doctor lends more clarity to these nuanced concerns than sifting through the unwieldy world of internet opinions.
How many calories should you consume in each trimester? You only need about 300 extra calories a day to support a healthy pregnancy. For women that start their pregnancy at an unhealthy BMI— so say they’re considered class one obesity or class two obesity— it’s okay for them to even lose weight in pregnancy versus gaining weight. No need to gain as much weight as somebody who was underweight prior to getting pregnant, for example.
How many corn dogs is it okay to eat per day while pregnant? I’m afraid I overindulge with this one… the jury’s still out on that. I would say a corn dog probably doesn’t have as much nutritional value as a lot of other food choices, so I recommend everything in moderation, especially if that’s the only thing your body allows you to eat; some women have a lot of food aversions during their pregnancies.
To what extent do your organs shift throughout pregnancy? Pretty much every internal organ in your abdomen is going to get shifted a bit because your uterus becomes significantly bigger. A normal uterus, outside of pregnancy, is a little bit smaller than your fist. You can imagine how big a uterus gets with a full size baby and how your body adjusts to accommodate that.
How to fight constipation while pregnant: I know a lot of people like to go towards Benefiber or Metamucil, but fiber is kind of tricky. If you’re not drinking enough water, fiber has the opposite response for your body, so I would try Miralax first.
What percentage of first-time-moms give birth before their due date? It’s rare to have moms deliver exactly on their due date. Unfortunately, women nowadays have more health problems than women did 50 years ago, so we do have a lot of medical reasons to deliver babies earlier than the 40 week mark— so a significantly higher percentage deliver before 40 weeks than after 40 weeks.
When is the best time to start and end your maternity leave? We’ve done studies that show the longer you’re able to work before the birth, the more likely you are to take the pregnancy later into term. We know that it’s better for your body to get up every day and keep moving, doing the things you need to do versus being more sedentary. Your body is very easily deconditioned, so if you’re able to work up until your due date, that’s the best option. It really depends on how much time you have off and how you want to spend it that time.
Do I need to have a pediatrician picked out before the baby is born? There are lists of providers for you to pick from before the baby’s born; however, I would say most women are given that same list while they’re in the hospital after they’ve had the baby. Pediatricians who are accepting new patients are very good about getting babies in within their first week of life.
What do I need to bring to the hospital? Bring in a tablet or a computer to watch movies. Snacks and your own big water jug, that’s what I suggest before delivery.
Definitely bring comfortable pajamas. If you plan to breastfeed, you want to have a comfortable nursing bra, maybe some bigger sanitary napkins. You might also want to bring your own shampoo, conditioner and toiletries that you prefer. Bring slippers, a bathrobe and a blanket. Then, of course, bring whatever baby clothes you want. They do provide diapers at the hospital, but if you want to use your own brand of diapers or certain brands of formula, onesies or an outfit to put the baby in, bring those items. You’ll definitely need the car seat for the baby to go home in as well.
Amazing Smiles
Thinking that it’s time for your child to get braces? Dr. Paul Hwang and his team at Amazing Smiles Orthodontics will put your mind at ease about the whole process. With more than a decade of practice, Dr. Paul uses the most current and effective orthodontic techniques, including AcceleDent, a device that significantly eases the discomfort of straightening teeth.
Amazing Smiles offers both clear and metal braces, invisible orthodontic appliances, limited lingual braces, corrective jaw surgery and growth modification services, all at two convenient locations. Busy parents can also take advantage of the flexible hours, with both evening and Saturday appointment options. Call for your free consultation today!
214 W. Airport Hwy., Swanton
419-825-3779
3924 Sylvan Lakes Blvd., Sylvania
All Shook Up
The thermostat reads 89 degrees and the sun is beating down, but the cast of All Shook Up School Edition is unphased as they belt out Elvis Presley hits and practice hip-swiveling dance numbers on the hot asphalt outside the Toledo Repertoire Theatre.
While heat has frequently been a challenge during the outdoor rehearsals this summer, it hasn’t made the experience any less enjoyable for young people who have spent the past two months preparing for the Teen Rep’s summer musical. Cast members say they are grateful for the chance to make art, have fun and bond with a talented group of peers.
“You get to create something, which makes you feel very accomplished both as a person and as a part of a group,” says Owen Cromly, 17, a senior at Evergreen High School playing the role of Dean Hyde. “That’s a really good feeling.”
The jukebox musical directed by Julie Zatko will be performed live August 5-6 at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater. Tickets are also available for streaming performances August 5-8.
A positive experience
Ryan Mahaffey, the show’s assistant director, says the Teen Rep program has been around for decades. One summer musical is held each year with auditions open to students between the ages of 14 to 19 from northwest Ohio and southwest Michigan. Along with having the opportunity to perform, the youth learn about other aspects of theatre including stage crew, marketing and choreography.
Many cast members enjoy the experience so much they return year after year.
“I just love the theatre, and I love the communities we always build within the cast,” says Ava Foor, 16, a junior at Notre Dame Academy. Along with playing the role of Mayor Matilda Hyde, Foor had the opportunity to choreograph one of the songs as a co-dance captain for the musical.
Appealing to all generations
Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, All Shook Up tells the story of a young, guitar-playing roustabout who comes to a conservative Midwestern town in the 1950s and changes everything and everyone he meets with his singing and dancing. “The story itself is just pure escapism,” says Mahaffey. “It’s funny, it’s light, and it’s very family friendly.”
The performance is filled with Elvis hits including “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” Mahaffey says there are plenty of jokes referencing 1950s movies and culture that older generations will appreciate, while younger generations will enjoy the rock music featured in the show.
Ben Bascuk, 16, a junior at St. Francis de Sales, says the music of Elvis was new to him coming into the show. He has found it fun learning about the music of a different generation and thought it was interesting to see how some of the issues addressed by the songs still relate to problems of today. “So there’s really a bigger message in the show, and it’s also a jukebox musical that everybody can just jam to and have fun,” says Bascuk, who plays the role of Dennis.
$14.75.-$16.75. 7pm. August 5-6. Toledo Repertoire Theatre.
16 Tenth St. 419-243-9277.
Learn more about streaming the performance at www.toledorep.org.